Traveling from Cusco to Uyuni: how to do it

One of the most frecuent questions we get this time of the year is how do I travel from Cusco to Uyuni? Being two of the most popular tourist destinations in the region that are located relatively close to each another, it is amazing that there is no bus or train that offers a direct trip. But not all is lost. You can travel from Cusco to Uyuni by land affordably and comfortably. This is how:

How do I get from Cusco to Uyuni?

The first step to get from Cusco to Uyuni by bus is reaching La Paz. There are many options for making this trip by bus. Sadly, there are no trains that covers this route. Tickets Bolivia works with Trans Salvador, Tour Peru and NC Internacional, dependable and quality bus companies. These are their schedules and reference prices (prices may vary according to the season):

Company

Bus class

Route

Time of departure and arrival

Prices in US Dollars

Trans Salvador

Cama, tres filas

Stops in Puno, migration in Desaguadero

22:00/13:00

33.58 US$

Trans Salvador

Cama, 4 filas

Stops in Puno, migration in Desaguadero

22:00/13:00

29.20 US$

Tour Peru

Semi cama

Stops in Puno, migration in Desaguadero

22:00/15:00

27.74 US$

NC Internacional

Cama

Stops in Puno, migration in Desaguadero

22:30/14:30

36.50 US$

The buses depart from the Cusco Bus Termial, located at the following address:

There are many bus companies that offer direct services to travel from La Paz to Uyuni. Tickets Bolivia works with Panasur, Cruz del Norte and Trans Omar. Their schedules are as follows:

Trans Omar has a semi lie -flat bus (seats recline 160 degrees) that leaves from La Paz to Uyuni every day at 20:00, arriving in Uyuni at 06:00 the next day. The service does not include meals, but the bus stops along the road so passengers can buy food and drink. Trans Omar also has a lie-flat bus (seats recline to 170 degrees) departing at the same time every day and arriving in Uyuni at 7:00 the next day.

Cruz del Norte has a Lie-Flat Bus. It departs 20.30 and arrives 06.30 the next day. The bus stops in Oruro.

What is it about trains? With this option, the passenger travels from La Paz to Oruro by bus and then from Oruro to Uyuni by train. This option allows you to enjoy train traveling through the Bolivian altiplano, in an of itself an unforgettable experience. Buses from La Paz to Oruro depart every 30 minutes practically all day from the La Paz bus terminal (see map above). The trip takes 3 hours and you arrive in Oruro at the Bus terminal located at the following address: https://ticketsbolivia.com.bo/googlemaps/terminal_oruro.php

Once in Oruro, you must take a cab to the Train Station, located on Av. Velasco Galvarro on the corner of Aldana St. The trains that travel from Oruro to Uyuni are Wara Wara del Sur and Expreso del Sur. Wara Wara del Sur leaves Wednesdays and Sundays at 19:00, and arrives in Uyuni at 02:20 in the morning. Expreso del Sur leaves on Tuesdays and Fridays at 14:00, arriving in Uyuni at 21:20.

With all this info there is no reason to miss Uyuni if you are traveling to Cuzco and making the most of your trip. If you want to buy tickets online just click here: www.ticketsbolivia.com.bo